Uniquely Washington shop opens downtown

Downtown Ritzville has a new shop to add to the storefront buildings on Main Avenue, as Uniquely Washington plans a grand opening event this weekend, beginning on Saturday at 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The store is predominately comprised of Washington produced merchandise and has a wide variety of products available for customers.

Owner Mary Chamberlin and her husband Dennis Chamberlin began the project in January, and it has been a lifelong dream of Mary’s to open a shop like this one. The interior is designed to provide customers with a 1920s feel, while providing a wide array of products.

The concept behind the shop is to showcase and sell products that are unique to the state and to the area. All local producers are highlighted within the shop and receive prominent placement based on product.

In the front portion of the shop, customers can browse through candies, knives, jewelry, dried fruits, canned products, grains, nuts and an impressive amount of sweets.

The Bruttles candies are expected to be a highlight in the packaged goods, while the candy and Jelly Belly dispensers are sure to attract the attention of the younger clientele.

Everything in the dispensers is sold by the pound, and containers are available to use for the grains and beans on one side of the shop. Bags are located next to the candy dispensers to be filled.

In the middle of the shop is barrels filled with specialty flour for bakers to use for cookie mix, pastries, pancake mix, or for other baking projects.

The back of the businesses is reserved for liquor, beer and refrigerated products, such as a selection of meat from CL Meats. Dennis explained the beer and liquor selection is not specifically Washington products, and has been added to provide customers with additional options and different sizes of bottles previously not offered in the town. All of the beer is craft beer and either produced in Washington or the Northwest.

The purpose of the shop is to provide residents with diversity of products, and while the prices are competitive, Dennis explained it is not the business’ goal to compete with already existing local businesses. Uniquely Washington has tried to cater the inventory based around products not currently offered in Ritzville.

This winter, the second half of the shop is expected to open as Whiskey Gap Distillery. The distillery is Dennis’ project and will allow visitors an opportunity to taste whiskey and see the still it is made in.

Currently the second half of the shop that will eventually be used as the distillery is unoccupied and has tables set up. Dennis encourages any local artist or individual who has products to showcase to contact him about using the room.

The purpose of the downtown shop is to highlight the expansive amount of products created in Washington, but more importantly, those produced right here in Ritzville. The Chamberlin’s encourage any local vendor to contact them about selling their product at Uniquely Washington.

The business is going to be open six days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with potential for the hours to be changed and posted at a later date. The business also plans to be open in coordination with any downtown events.

Uniquely Washington is located at 213 West Main Avenue in Ritzville.